2025 Tuna and Exotics
- Thread starter Evan B
- Start date
Looks like a good deal for anyone looking for gear.
www.sierra.com
Douglas Outdoors DXF Saltwater Fly Rod - 12wt, 9’, 4-Piece - Save 50%
Douglas Outdoors DXF Saltwater Fly Rod - 12wt, 9’, 4-Piece in Multi at Sierra. Celebrating 30 Years Of Exploring.
www.sierra.com
Gotta get that early start on a thread, like Baseball or football, only this is fishing related, so all the better!!
Cheers and good luck with the coming (in 6 to 7 months) season.
Cheers and good luck with the coming (in 6 to 7 months) season.
One bit of prep I've done this offseason - big time upgrade to my rod holders. I've been wanting these for years and finally did it.
Burnewiin quick release rod holders. These things are as beefy as it gets. I've been running Scotty Strikers, which do get the job done, but if running rods off the side of the boat, it can be VERY difficult to get a rod out of the holder when it's loaded with a tuna on the other end. Also much nicer for the beefy halibut rods to pick up when a halibut is on. Just hit the trigger release while picking the rod straight up in one motion. Basically a way, way beefier version of like a Scotty Orca, which I run for salmon.
and before anyone thinks I'm just doing sponsored content... I paid full price for 2 of these bad boys... also for the mounts. When I can afford it, I'll get two more
Burnewiin quick release rod holders. These things are as beefy as it gets. I've been running Scotty Strikers, which do get the job done, but if running rods off the side of the boat, it can be VERY difficult to get a rod out of the holder when it's loaded with a tuna on the other end. Also much nicer for the beefy halibut rods to pick up when a halibut is on. Just hit the trigger release while picking the rod straight up in one motion. Basically a way, way beefier version of like a Scotty Orca, which I run for salmon.
and before anyone thinks I'm just doing sponsored content... I paid full price for 2 of these bad boys... also for the mounts. When I can afford it, I'll get two more
SilverFly
Legend
Only like... 6-7mo to go
FINALLY, someone else beat me to the annual PNW offshore tuna/exotic post!
Feels like we've crossed a threshold of sorts. It wasn't that many years ago when I was practically begging (OK, I was flat out begging) to fill charter seats for fly rod albacore. How times have changed.
Thanks to @Nick Clayton for his hard work and relentless passion, fly rods are now seen as viable tools on the PNW albacore grounds. Also huge thanks to @Cabezon for taking on the organizational nightmare of orchestrating these trips.
Of course, none of which would have been possible without a core group of fly rodders that were adventurous enough to sign-up for an expensive gamble. At the time, albacore fly fishing charters, as a legit/committed thing, was largely an experiment. A failed trip or two might have killed the experiment from the get-go. Thankfully, those crews got the job done exceeding all expectations.
Seeing the same names come back every year, with new names being added, speaks volumes about this incredible fishery.
Yeah, its mid-winter, but never too early to discuss, plan, or even fantasize about what will be encountered on trips that are still a half year or more out. That is the greatest thing about the open ocean, the absence of expectation limits, that are so constrained in virtually every other fishing venue.
Can't wait to see what offshore PNW 2025 brings.
and yet you've turned down every invite I've sent for my boat. tsk tsk
SilverFly
Legend
And I died a little inside every time.
EDIT: Now that we're in the new place, I should have more time ..... once I build the garage, deck, get the yard fenced.... ugh.
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Maybe we could set up a Fantasy Tuna League where us armchair casters can draft folks from the forum ... ???
Jesus…..those are the whitest hands I’ve ever seen on someone who fishes outdoors.
I’ve seen more color in hands on a corpse!
Couldn’t help it @Evan B …… apologies….thankfully it’s show season….things are post holiday slow.
Rod holders look stout.
If anyone is looking to fill up a tuna trip with people, I am interested in doing a trip.
Maybe. I will follow this thread. I hate that my problem as I have aged is sea sickness and heights (dammit). I have some how gotten older and first the fair rides with the kids bothered me.
Then last two times at sea I have had issues. (Never before, had no issue with swells etc. now I do). I have hiked Priekestolen three times.
Last time I couldn’t get near edge.
2019) but years before no problem.
Okay. I’m out. But I’ll watch the tuna threads because I have done a couple and always had fun. But we’re talking 90’s with overnight trips and lots of sharks at late night. It’s always been an experience. Tuna always came with sharks for some reason. Remember last one out of Westport but we ended way off the coast of southern oregon.. (chasing tuna as they say).
Then last two times at sea I have had issues. (Never before, had no issue with swells etc. now I do). I have hiked Priekestolen three times.
Last time I couldn’t get near edge.
2019) but years before no problem.
Okay. I’m out. But I’ll watch the tuna threads because I have done a couple and always had fun. But we’re talking 90’s with overnight trips and lots of sharks at late night. It’s always been an experience. Tuna always came with sharks for some reason. Remember last one out of Westport but we ended way off the coast of southern oregon.. (chasing tuna as they say).
Sadly, I think I’ll be watching from the computer this year, which is killing me because I had an article lined up for the Drake about the Westport Tuna fishery and because it’s one of the most amazing fisheries we have that’s still going strong (and actually seems to be booming).
If anyone wants to borrow setups, I have two tuna fly rods left to loan out, three ready-to-go reels and lines, and a crap ton of flies.
Be sure to keep this thread updated so I can live vicariously!
If anyone wants to borrow setups, I have two tuna fly rods left to loan out, three ready-to-go reels and lines, and a crap ton of flies.
Be sure to keep this thread updated so I can live vicariously!
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I know a website that likes articles if it needs a home
I’d love to but it was promised to them, and there’s no way I’m gonna top Nick’s articles on it here. Unfortunately to do the article as pitched I gotta get out there and take the photos and live it recently enough for the article to be relevant. My hip screwed me (couldn’t stand) during my only Westport trip last year that didn’t get canked due to the weather.I know a website that likes articles if it needs a home
With my hip being jacked (may end up getting it replaced this year—yay, 43!) I don’t know I can do it anymore. One of the reasons I gave Nick my best tuna rod.
Anyway, sorry, back to tuna photos and stoke!
Some folks have taken tuna fishing so far as to have Bill Oyster build custom bamboo fly rods specifically for Westport albacore.
Others are happy to catch them on fiberglass rods that cost less than the lines and backing on the reel. But we are all in love with the tuners.
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SilverFly
Legend
Maybe. I will follow this thread. I hate that my problem as I have aged is sea sickness and heights (dammit). I have some how gotten older and first the fair rides with the kids bothered me.
Then last two times at sea I have had issues. (Never before, had no issue with swells etc. now I do). I have hiked Priekestolen three times.
Last time I couldn’t get near edge.
2019) but years before no problem.
View attachment 138495
Okay. I’m out. But I’ll watch the tuna threads because I have done a couple and always had fun. But we’re talking 90’s with overnight trips and lots of sharks at late night. It’s always been an experience. Tuna always came with sharks for some reason. Remember last one out of Westport but we ended way off the coast of southern oregon.. (chasing tuna as they say).
Sorry you won't be getting out there, but I'm confident the crews here will be posting follow worthy content later this summer.
And yeah, Norway is on the bucket list, but Oh HELL no to stepping onto that rock! That's goes double for the Trolls Tongue!!
Oh I know that one too. Hell no!!!!!
